Crisp new calendar, clean slate, right? While the 2021-22 season is well underway, there’s still a sense of renewal in ringing in a new year, bursting with fresh opportunities. In taking a break from the enduring frustration of remaining competitive amidst game postponements and losing individual players to the league’s COVID-19 protocol, here are a few fearless — and some less bold — fantasy-relevant predictions to help usher in 2022.
Tuukka Rask will be worth a fantasy stash: Roster flexibility permitting, of course. Signed to a professional tryout agreement in the AHL, Rask could be back in Boston’s crease before you know it (allowing for a few turns in Providence first). If history serves as prophecy, the 34-year-old will make his squad-for-life better. Don’t take my word for it; ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski thoroughly outlines why (E+) here. And if Rask’s comeback indeed blossoms in storybook fashion, Linus Ullmark and (especially) Jeremy Swayman will inevitably see less playing time. Food for thought for their respective fantasy managers, along those in the goaltending dumps. You could do worse than roll the dice one of the best netminders since 2009.
Jack Hughes will continue to shine: Not to the blinding luminance of three goals and six assists in four recent games, mind you, but brightly enough. Circumstances are in place to nearly ensure as much. Since losing several weeks to a shoulder injury, Hughes has been enjoying hefty, high-quality top-line/powerplay minutes, rounding out to 19:45 per game since Dec. 8. He’s shooting more than ever, averaging 3.9 shots per contest since Dec. 16. Most appealing perhaps, as discussed by ESPN’s Emily Kaplan, is that the 2019 No. 1 draft pick is finally feeling confident, empowered and happy. Nothing replaces a good dose of healthy swagger when it comes to competing at the highest level of any…
Source : espn
